Thread: can using s slightly damaged strop hurt a razor?

I got a ken rup filly strop, because i'm a beginner. I love it. I've put some minor to mildly heavy nicks on it, well, because I'm a beginner. Tonight while stropping, I was running the blade over some nicks, and I wondered, "Is this hurting the blade any?"

so, is it? Thank you in advance

Ya you guys. I was wondering the exact same thing. What the answer?

Some pictures of the nick damage would be very useful, in answering your question.
One persons light nick, might be anothers grand canyon...
However, if the nicks arent too deep you can sand them a bit, with 800-1000 grit sandpaper, then apply a light coating of some neatsfoot oil and you'll be good to go again.
If the nicks are deep, then it is definately not recomended to strop over them.

Mac

The rule of thumb is as you strop if you feel the nicks they aren't good for the razor. The more you feel them the less good they are.

Here's a strop I use often that has some minor damage:





Here's another damaged strop that I've used successfully. Can you pick out the damaged area?



Well, actually you can't see the damaged area of the strop because I cut the damaged leather out. But it still works fine. (BTW, the damage to this strop was irreparable as it had a full thickness slice all the way through. I bought the strop for it's vintage linen side.)

I've nicked my filly a lot too.

If the nick creates a small flap of leather that is sticking up in the breeze, yes. Been a long time since I nicked a strop but back in the day if it opened a small 'flap' of leather I would use a razor blade (utility knife not a shaving razor) to gently shave off the flap. While it will lay flat on half of the stroke, when you go back the other way it will raise up as the spine goes over it, or even worse catch the spine.

My observation, a divot the blade will glide harmlessly over but any kind of ridge can roll the edge as the blade passes over it. For heavy side cuts, as in sliced half way through the edge of the strop. You can put a drop of contact cement on either side of the cut, let it get sticky then press it back together. After it cures over night give the repair a light pass with some 600 grip sandpaper to clean up any adhesive and level off any ridge left from the repair.

I'm so glad I found this post. As much as I tried to avoid it, I nicked the very edges of my strop, and I was concerned I might be doing more damage to blade.

The damage is minor but as a newbie I wasn't really sure how much damage is too much damage.

You read my mind!

Most of my strops are vintage and came with a few character flaws(of course it wasnt me ), I super glue the flaps down or sand the nicks so nothing protrudes, and all is well!